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Howard C. Crawford — Dr. Howard C. Crawford's lab investigates how collagen proteins contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. By studying a specific receptor that interacts with collagen, the lab aims to uncover new insights into how these proteins influence cancer behavior and identify potential targets for treatment. The ultimate goal is to improve survival rates for patients suffering from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
S. Alexandra Burt — Dr. S. Alexandra Burt's lab focuses on understanding how the environments where children grow up, particularly disadvantaged neighborhoods, can influence their behaviors, including risk-taking and aggression. The lab investigates the molecular changes, specifically DNA methylation patterns, that may occur as a result of these environmental factors, helping to shed light on how early experiences can affect behavior throughout adolescence. The aim is to uncover both biological and environmental factors that contribute to youth antisocial behaviors, ultimately contributing to public health betterment.
Taeho Kim — Dr. Taeho Kim's lab focuses on developing innovative nanodrug therapies for treating endometriosis, a painful condition affecting many women. By using cerium oxide nanoparticles, the lab aims to target and reduce inflammation and lesions associated with the disease without the side effects of current hormone treatments. This work integrates biomedical engineering techniques with real-time imaging to monitor therapy effectiveness and ensure better patient outcomes.
Xuefei Huang — Dr. Xuefei Huang's lab at Michigan State University focuses on developing innovative vaccines to combat diseases caused by bacteria, particularly pertussis and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The lab combines synthetic chemistry and microbiology to design carbohydrate-based vaccines that can generate strong immune responses. The research aims to understand the structures of sugar molecules on bacterial surfaces and how they can be utilized to create effective vaccine candidates.
Norbert E Kaminski — Dr. Norbert Kaminski's lab studies how cannabis use impacts inflammation in people living with HIV, particularly focusing on the effects on brain health. The research addresses how monocytes, a type of immune cell, become activated and contribute to neuroinflammatory damage in HIV-infected individuals. By investigating the relationship between cannabis use and inflammation, this work aims to improve our understanding of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and explore potential therapeutic options.
Zhiyong Xi — Dr. Zhiyong Xi's lab at Michigan State University focuses on developing innovative strategies to control malaria using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The lab studies how environmental factors and genetics affect the ability of these mosquitoes to block malaria parasites. Their research aims to create new lines of mosquitoes that enhance disease resistance in a sustainable way, contributing to public health efforts against malaria.
Timothy R. Zacharewski — Dr. Timothy R. Zacharewski's lab focuses on understanding how environmental contaminants, especially a compound called TCDD, contribute to liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lab investigates how TCDD affects liver metabolism and causes liver damage, aiming to identify potential treatments, such as Vitamin B12 supplementation, to protect the liver from these damaging effects. This research is important because NAFLD is a growing health issue in the United States, and better understanding could lead to better treatments.
Victor J. Dirita — Dr. Victor J. Dirita's lab at Michigan State University studies how the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni causes foodborne illnesses. His research focuses on understanding how C. jejuni manipulates its environment in the gut to thrive, particularly through its use of oxygen. By using ferrets as a model for human infection, the lab aims to uncover the bacteria's strategies for adaptation and pathogenicity. The goal is to identify new therapies to combat infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.
Dohun Pyeon — Dr. Dohun Pyeon's lab focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically human papillomaviruses (HPV), contribute to the progression of head and neck cancers. They aim to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cancers to evade the immune system, particularly by studying a specific protein that degrades immune receptors, which helps tumor cells escape detection. By targeting these pathways, the lab seeks to develop new immunotherapies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with HPV-related head and neck cancers.